The Berks County Jail System is intended to establish a secure institutional environment that serves to provide protection and safety for the citizens, staff and the legally incarcerated of Berks County, while meeting the standards established for this purpose by the American Correctional Association and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This will be accomplished through the use of a cost-effective organization and procedures that provide for security, social restoration and (re)habilitation in the jail environment.

Objective Statements:

The following objectives have been established to accomplish the mission, within the budgetary and staffing constraints imposed on the facility:

Protection of Life and Property: To provide reasonable and cost effective service that contributes to the preservation of life, the protection of property and the safety of the community.

Maintenance of Public Order: To maintain peace and public order in the context of a secure and well regulated detention environment. To assist during times of natural or manmade disaster.

Deterrence, Detection, and Investigation of Criminal Activity: To reasonably deter crime through aggressive supervision of inmates, and the establishment and maintenance of procedures, timetables and guidelines. To vigorously and effectively investigate crime in the facility and take corrective action that discourages recurrences of unacceptable behavior.

Compliance with Ethical Standards and Professionalism: To encourage and support integrity and adherence to the professional standards of the facility by investigating complaints against staff. To provide for the training needs of all employees and promote a high degree of proficiency.

Social Restoration: To provide educational, counseling, and vocational services in coordination with county, and community agencies that are designed to diminish recidivism promote (re)habilitation, instill personal responsibility, and foster successful community reintegration.